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Mikkel
The ”out of” in “Out of Africa” - for native English speakers.
The Danish author Karen Blixen wrote a memoir titled “Out of Africa” (published in 1937)
I’m not sure what “out of” means (The Danish title is “My African Farm”, so comparing the titles doesn’t help me). Is it obvious to native speakers what “Out of Africa” means or is it open to interpretation? What do you think it means?
Info: Karen Blixen owned a farm in Africa and eventually had to sell it, since it was operating at a loss, and return to Denmark.
UPDATE:
I’m now reading on Wikipedia that the book’s title is probably an abbreviation of the famous ancient Latin adage Ex Africa semper aliquid novi, which translates as “Out of Africa, always something new.”
The meaning of “Out of Africa” in the adage is not clear to me, though.
Thanks for your help!
2017年5月23日 10:58
回答 · 8
2
I think it is deliberately ambiguous - perhaps a triple entendre?
It has several relevant interpretations. It can be a reflection of our genetic roots as Carlos said. It can also be a reference to the idea of 'get out of there' - as in she left. It could also be interpreted as that she was a product of that life there: 'made out of' where the 'made' can be omitted. 'I have a comb out of ivory'.
2017年5月23日
2
Usually the phrase "out of Africa" refers to the history of our early ancestors; that "mankind" originated in Africa and migrated from this area to other parts of the world.
Maybe, that's what the title refers to? I hope the suggestion helps.
(I'm a native speaker of English.)
2017年5月23日
2
If you go to google and type "out of Africa theory" you'll find a better explanation.
2017年5月23日
Thanks for the link Jerry.
Interesting article. Amusing that Aristotle "wrote that many of the animals unique to Africa were strange hybrids, suggesting that the lack of water forced the animals to meet at watering holes where they mated indiscriminately with one another.”
2017年5月23日
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/02/0219_030219_outofafrica.html
This explains the phrase but I've never understood how it relates to the book or the movie.
2017年5月23日
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Mikkel
語学スキル
中国語 (普通話), デンマーク語, 英語, ドイツ語, スウェーデン語
言語学習
英語, スウェーデン語
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